Nachash - Phantasmal Triunity LP (Shadow Kingdom Records)

Nachash, a symbol of power and chaos, literally meaning serpent in Hebrew, with strong ties to evil and representing the entity that tempted Eve (among other interpretations). But also a very fitting name for this Metal power trio from Oslo who, after a first EP released on Unborn Records in 2015 on cassette (and CD and vinyl on the two following years), teamed up with Shadow Kingdom Records from the USA (usualy more focused on more classical/less extreme sub-genres of the Metal spectre) to release their first full-length album. 

In their ranks we find Mr. Kenneth Tiller, who's experience and dedication in regards to the extreme Metal underground have been extensively proved both managing Apocalyptic Empire Records (it's hard not to have some of his releases in your collection if you follow the Black Metal underground and buy vinyl) and playing in the now sadly defunct Celestial Bloodshed, although the brain and soul behind the music of Nachash is actually Mr. A (also playing in a certain Death Metal band called Brainshock), who composed all the music and lyrics, and takes care of guitars and vocals, leaving the bass duties for an unknown Mr. R.

If something can be easily mentioned about these Norwegians, it is the fact that their blend of Black Metal does not sound Norwegian at all (their bandcamp profile states "Deathly Black Metal band from the pits of Oslo, Norway striving for a unique sound far removed from the generic cesspool of 'TNBM'. No corpsepaint, no gimmics, no compromise."). Their label mentions Grand Belial's Key, Ares Kingdom, Mortuary Drape, Varathron, and Sacriphyx as their influences on the promotional note of this record. And they're perfectly valid. Just as valid as could be (mid era) Deströyer 666 (for the perfect mix of razor-sharp riffs and warlike epic melodies, and the easiest comparison to their music in my opinion), Vulpecula, a simplest Stargazer  (for both the vocals and riffs on "Apex Illuminous" and "Vortex Spectre") or Armoured Angel. Don't take me wrong though. The fact that I previously mentioned so many band references does not make their music a mere copy of those bands nor less interesyting. It's actually the opposite, great references/similitudes because of how high their music reaches. 

Which means a crushing dose of riff-laden Blackened Metal growing from the roots of the old-school Metal underground (no matter if we speak about Speed/Thrash or Death/Black) with a foot in the past and an eye on the future of this renewed genre. Nothing less, nothing more. 'Phantasmal Triunity' pushes forward the Metal part of their genre labelling. Guitars take the absolute lead and they do it in a very dragging way, keeping a pretty heavy and catchy pace, with an eighties vibe, but never pulling down the intensity and strength that fills their music from start to end of this recording. And believe me, the riffs are definitely worth of praise, nothing but memorable, combining a simple rythm to focus your attention with a multi-layered depth that creates a wide enough atmosphere to make you fly, with an epic touch that is always present. And with the help of a super compact bass and drum team with lots of double bass walls, that take you by force and fucking crush you to the ground. 

If the music wasn't enough, they worked hard to make it sound in the best possible way. They recorded and mixed the thing at Roffsound Recordings with Vegard Liverød. And the mastering was managed by Tom Kvalsvøll (formerly in Dodheimsgard and behind mastering of a lot of great records such as 'For All Tid', 'Nouveau Gloaming', 'Min Tid Skal Komme' or all Virus records, just to name a few examples). The result is raw, organic and sharp like a razor's edge, but sufficiently clean to appreciate every detail of their melodies. The drum sound is very powerful and natural, which gives their music an extra dose of strength. and the vocals have that slight touch of reverb that makes them sound like coming from another dimension.

Add to this a very fitting non-clichéd and mysterious cover, created by R.K.V. (which I guess is Mr. Kristian Valbo of Obliteration and Void Eater fame, among others) that combines bloody red and electric blue in a scene that, despite it's simplicitiy, made me rack my brains looking for it's right meaning every time I grabbed the vinyl sleeve.

​Fantastic and unexpectedly pleasant surprise from the old capital of the Black Metal scene. An absolute must for those who like their extreme Metal loaded with old-school magic, rabid darkness and an epic touch. And another band I will keep an eye on in the future. Absolute top stuff for this year. Ugh!

​www.shadowkingdomrecords.com